Heel-building machine



Mau". 6, 1923.

" E. E.WINKLEY. VHEEL BUILDING MACHINE.

l2 SHEETS*SHEET1.

FILED Dac. 22. 1917.

Mar. 6, 1923.

E. E. WINKLEY. HEEL BUILDING MACHINE.

I2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FILED DEC. 22,1917- Mar. 6, 1923.

E.-1:. WINKLEY. HEEL BUILDING MACHINE.

FILED DEC. 22| 19|?. I2 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

i uw..

l2 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

E. E. WINKLEY. HEEL BUILDING MACHINE.

FILED DEC. 22, 19|?.

l Mar. 6, 1923.

l2 SHEETS--SHEET 6- E. E. WINKLEY. HEEL BUILDING MACHINE. FILED DEC 22.191?

Mar. 6, 1923.

Inv@ 71145073 Mf-W 1,447,368. E. E. WINKLEY.

HEEL BUILDING MACHINE.

FILED DEC. 22. 1917. l2 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

E. E. W'INKLEY. HEEL BUILDING MACHINE.

Mar. 6, 1923.

I2 SHEETS-SHEET B.

FILED DEC, 22| 1917 @E 'I I SISI@ 1 D I I I l I I I mim' Mar. 6, 1923.

E. E. WINKLEY.r HEEL BUILDING MACHINE.

FILED DEC. 221 191.7- l2 SHEETS-SHEEVT`T0 Mar; 6, 1923.

lE. E. WINKLEY. HEEL BUILNNG MACHINE.

FILED DEG. 22, 19u.' 12 sHEETs-sHEET H,

Mar. 6, 1923. 1,447,368.

- E. E'. WINKLEY.

HEEL BUILDING MACHINE.

FILED DEC. 22| 19|?. l2 SHEETS-SHEET IZ.

@EQ/@MQ Patented li/lar. 6, 1923!.

peluflfihlyl ERASTUS E. WINKLEY, OF LYNN, EJASSACHUSETTS, ASSGNOE- TO UN'IED SHOE MACHINERY COBPRTIN, OF PATTERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORFORATON OF NEW JERSEY.

HEEL-BUELD1NG IVACHNE.

Application filed December 22, 1917. Serialylo. 2%43 To all whom t may' concern.'

Be it lriioyvnthat l, Ennemis E, ViNKLnY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, in the county of Esser and State of l/lassachnsetts, have invented certain new and useful linprovements in Heehuilding.

Machines; and do hereby declare the following` to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention', such as will en-` posed the one upon the other in a prede-y termined sequence at successive assembling stations to produce heels of any desired form. v

ln a cop-ending application, Serial No.` 20de/dt, iiled by me' of even date herewith in which claims Will be found dominating certain features of the present invention, an automatic he'el-building,` or asseinlilingniachine is disco-sed, a `portion of which is particularly adapted to assemble a plurality of lifts of even or uniform thickness to form,

heels or )arts or sections of heelshavinif 7 A e; parallel upper and loiver surfaces.

heel-piles having substantially plane breast surfaces that may be readily compressed into properly formed heel-blanks Without thev .necessitiY of a preliminary breast trimming inlaat-ion.

\ inotlier object of this invention is to pro- `viilc a heel-building machine which shall eniboc cher members for transferring' the lifts tieni the magazines to the assemblingn s a, i that shall act upon the lifts in such manner as to avoid mutilatnig, deforming This niai chine, however, is vincapable of building Wedge heels, inasmuch as no provision is` or otherwise injuring even thin lifts of soft material, and, moreover, shall be capable of picking up, one at a time, lifts Vof various forms and conditions, such slrived lifts andilifts having,- relatively large central openings, that cannot be successfully handled by thepronged or claw picker members of the prior art Whirn penetrate the central portion of the lifts acted upon.

Still further objectsiare to simplify and improve the construction and operation of automatic heel-buildina` machines, and to provide a machine of thisclass which vshall be relatively simple and compact in arrangement, and reliable, effective, andv peditious in operation.

ln accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the above-mentioned objects are accomplished by means of a inachine which embodies a plurality of concurrently operative picker members that are int iittently swung; baclr andv forth between row of ma zines: or lift holders, in which a supply of lifts of'g'raded'characteristics are stacked, and a plurality of assembling;` stations that are occupied by independent intermittently movable carriers, upon Which the lifts are superposed in a predetermined sequence to forni heels,A

@ne feature of the invention., resides in the con'ibinai'iion of a picker member for seizing` lifts and a Vlift magazine in which Wedgedifts are alternately or reversely stacked and Which is rotated through a half turn just prior to each transfer of lifts by the picker i'neinber, whereby the Wednelifts occupy similar positions in the magazine at the time they are removed bythe picker member.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of means for properly inclining or tiltingv each carrier in its Wedge-lift as semblingil station just before the Wedgedift is placed thereon in order to maintain the upper surface of the assembled lifts in a horizontal plane. ln' conjunction with this means for'tilting the carriers, cooi'ieratinn; means is provided for advaneine` or feeding each carrier into its Wedge-lift, and all subsequent lift assembling stations, a slightly shorter distance than into the preceding station. Thus, the breL st edges of all of the component lifts are aligned in a substantially plane surface, the only projecting' portionbeing` a slight angular projection asextremely thin`A fected by the tilting of the lowermost lift. 'lhis portion is relatively small and the heel-piles, therefore, may be compressed, without checking, distortion and relativo shifting of the component lifts, into substantiaiiy regular and perfect heel blanks.

A further feature of the invention resides in the use of picker members that are periodically coated with paste and to which the uppermost lifts in the magazine adhere during the transferal of lifts to the assembling stations. rlhus, lifts of any form and condition may be picked up one at a time and without injury or mutilation, while the paste which has been applied to the lifts by the pickers serves as a binder to unite the superposed lifts into solid heels.

Other objects `and features of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. (lbviously, the invention is not restricted to the construction, arrangement and location of parts and operation set forth, and many modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Furthermore, the invention as herein set forth, is not limited to the conjoint use of all its features, and it will be understood from the following description that it is Within the scope of the invention .to use some features without others or to combine the various features ina different manner than is described as the preferred combination. Therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims. y

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a machine constructed in yaccordance with the invention, a side supporting pedestal being removed for the sake of clearness; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine; Fig. 3 is a view, partially in side elevation and partially in section, of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the section being taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. t is an enlarged plan View, partially in section, of a rotatable wedge lift holder or magazine, the section being taken on the line Ll-i 'of Fig. 6; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the wedge lift holder shown in Fig. 1, the section being taken onI the line 5-5 thereof; Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the Wedge lift holder shown in Figs. et and 5, the section being takenon the line 6-6 of Fig. Ll; Fig. 'l' is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 4 showing the adjustable parts of the lift holder in their outermost position, the section being taken on the line '--7 of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of a finished heel-pile produced by the machine in position upon one of the movable carriers upon which it is assembled; Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the machine showing particularly the rotatable wedge-lift holder and its actuating means; F ig. 10 is an enlarged view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of a portion of the machine showing the lift holders or magazines and the pasting apparatus, the section being taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 2; Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan view, partially in section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 12, of the clutch for operating the rotatable wedge lift holder; Fig, 12 is an enlarged view, partially in section and partially in side elevation, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is an enlarged view, partially in section and partially in side elevation, of a portion of the tracks for guiding and supporting the movable carriers upon which the lifts are assembled; Fig. 14 is an enlarged view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of a portion of the machine illustrating certain of the movable carriers supported on their tracks in the first and second assembling station; Fig. 15 is an enlarged perspective view, partially in section, of a portion of the carriers, supporting tracks, and intermittent carrier-feed mechanism; Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one of the movable lift carriers, showing the chainconveyor and means for engaging the carrier; Fig. 17` is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the machine, showing the swinging picker members in their positions above and inengagement with the paste roll; Fig. 18 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the machine showing the swinging picker members in position above the lift holders or magazines; and Fig. 19 is an enlarged view, partially in section and partially in end elevation,`of a portion of the machine, the section being taken along the line 19-19 of Feferring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the machine comprises a stationary frame designated by a general reference character 20, a row of lift holders or magazines 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32; independent movable lift carriers 34e, 36, 38, a0, 12, 441i, 46 and 48, upon which the lifts are progressively superposed in a plurality of assembling stations, a plurality of endless' guiding and supporting tracks 50, 52,54 and 56 for the movable carriers; an intermittent feed mechanism designated by a general reference character 60 for actuating the movable carriers step-by-step through the assembling stations (Figs. 10 and 15); an endless continuously operated conveyor 6a for rapidly movin-g the carriers around a portion of the tracks; a pasting apparatus designated by a general reference character 66 forapplying paste to certain parts of the machine (Figs. 2, 10 and 19);

i/iazses a paste reservoir 68 for supplying paste to the pasting apparatus (F igs. 1 and 2) and a plurality of pivotally mounted swinging picker members 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 and 80, which receive paste from said pasting apparatus and which pick up the lifts from said lift holders and transfer them to said carriers in the successive assembling stations.

The stationary frame 20 comprises side pedestal frames, each of which is composed of lower frame members 84, intermediate frame members 86, and upper frame members 88, the respective side pedestals being` spaced apart and rigidly connected by means of a horizontal plate 90 for supporting the magazines or wedge holders, and a cross beam 92 upon which the picker members 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 and 80 are pivotallv mounted. A plurality1 of supporting members 94 and 96 project upwardly from the magazine supporting plate 90 to carry the paste reservoir 68, and a plurality of supporting arms 98 and 100 are provided at the respective ends of the machine for carrying the tracks 50, 52,` 54 and 56.

The lower pedestal frames 84 (Figs. 1 and 3), are adapted to support a power shaft 102 in suitable bearings, and said shaft carries a fast pulley 104 and a `loose pulley 106 for cooperating` vwith a driving' belt 108 which is adapted to supply power to the machine when desired. Normally the belt 108 runs upon the loose pulley 106 but may be shifted tothe fast pulley 104 at the will of the operator by means of a shifter arm 110 that may be slidV longitudinally upon a shaft 112 by means of a rocker arm 114 that is connected to the shifter arm 110 by a link 111. The rocker arm 114 is fixed to one end of a rock shaft 116, the other end of which is attached to an operating lever 118 (F igs. 1 and 2). rFhe power shaft 102 is provided with a pinion 120 that meshes with a gear wheel 122 which is carried by a rotatable cam shaft 124 supported in suitable bearing's in the lower side frame pedestals 84. The cam shaft 124 is provided with a plurality of cams 126, 127, 128, 130n 132, 184 and 186, which are designed and angularly disposed 4with relation to one another in such manner as to effect the dcsired time-cooperation of the various mechanisms of the machine, as will be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

Since the several picker members operate to intermittently transfer lifts from a suitable supply to assembling' stationsthrough which the independent carriers upon which the lifts are progressively assembled are ae tuated in a series of successive steps. the lifts are conveniently initially held in the magazines or lift' holders 22, 24` 26. 28, 30 and 82. The lift `holders or magazines 22, 26, 28, 80 and 82 arel positioned upon the supporting plate 90 at the back of the machine and are of like construction, beine; particularly adapted to hold stacks of ordi nary even heel lifts of graded sizes. Each lift holder comprises relatively adjustable walls 140 and 148 (Figs. 2, 10 and 18) between which the lifts are stacked. The stationary wall 140 is provided with an upwardly projecting` vf-shaped portion that has extended face plates 142 secured thereto for engagement with the backs of the stacked lifts. rlhe lower portion 144 of the wall 140 rests upon the supportingplate 90 and is provided with slots 146 through which bolts 147 project for securing the w: ll in position.

The picker members function to remove lifts from the tops of the stacks within the magazines, and since means is provided to progressively raise the stacks therein to bring the uppermost lifts into suitable positions to be acted upon by the picker members, it is necessary to make provisions for periodically restraining the .stacks against the upward actuation of the raising` mechanism. For this purpose the wall member 148 of each magazine comprises an upwardly extendingv member 150 (Figs. 3 and 10) that engages the breast portions of the lifts and is provided with lugs 152 and 154 and with laterally projecting arms 156 and 158. Pivoted between the lugs 154 is a movable clamping member 160 havingspaced arms 161 that are disposed above the member 150 and in alip'mnent therewith for engaging the breast portions of the upper lifts in the holder and for definitely positioningthe saine. The upper inner edges of the arms 161 are beveled to permit the withdrawal of the uppermost lift. p lThe clamp member 160 is provided with an integral extension or arm 162, the lower end of which carries a pin 164 which cooperatively engages a slotted end member 166 of a bell crank 167 that is pivoted between the lugs 152 on a pin 168. The short arm 170 of the bell crank has a pivotal connection to the upper end of a rod 172 that extends through openings in the arms 156 and 158 and is slidable therein. A spring' 174 surrounds the rod 172 and its upper end engages the arm 156 while its lower end is restrained by means of a collar 176 that is rie-idly secured to the rod 172. The sprir 174. therefm'e. temls to force the rod 172 to its lowermost position and thus maintains the upper clamp arms 161 in clamping relation to the upper portion of the sta-cl: of lifts contained in the holder.

The wall or member 150 is provided with an integral base portion 178 (Fiss. 2 and Il) by means of which it is bolted rigidly to the pla-te 90 in a suitable manner. By reason of the adjustabil v of the V-shaped wall 140, it is apparent that vthe several lift holders may be set or adjusted for any desired sizes of lifts.

rThe second magazine or lift holder 24 differs from the others, and is particularly i adapted to contain wedge-lifts that are alternately or reversely stacked one above the other. Referring particularly to Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 9, the wedge lift holder 24 comprises a rotatable table 182 which is pivotally mounted by means of an extended hub 184 in an opening in the supporting plate 90. Adjustably positioned upon the table 182, are a plurality of wall members 186, 188, 190 and 192, which are disposed opposite each other in pairs to form a substantially rectangular' lift receiving magazine.

Each of the wall members 186 and 190 comprises a slotted base member 194 by means of which it is adjustably secured to the table 182 and an upright member 196 that projects to the full height of the magazine. The other pair of wall members 188 and 192 are similar in construction and in operation to the movable wall member of the other magazines yor lift holders which have been hereinbefore described, except that the movable clamping members comprise single central arms 163 instead of two spaced arms 161, said arms 163 being bevelled at their upper inner edges to permit the removal of the topmost lift.

bviously, by suitably positioning the several wall members 186, 188, 190 and 192 just referred to, the magazine or lift holder 24 may be adjusted for any desired size of wedge lifts. 1n Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the parts are shown as adjusted for a relatively small sized heel lift, while Fig. 7 illustrates the position of the clamps when set for a heel lift of larger dimensions. In the machine illustrated in the drawings, the wall members for the wedge lift holder occupy the positions shown in Fig. 7 and are adapted for relatively large sized lifts.

1n order to accentuate the operative positions or to lock the wedge-lift magazine in yits positions of rest, the rotatable table 182 is provided with diametrically opposite peripheral notches 198 (Fig. 7 which are adapted to receive a spring pressed detent 200'that is slidably positioned within a guide member 202 that is secured to the plate 90.

The rotatable wedge-lift magazine 24 is given periodic unidirectional half rotations in order to cause the alternately disposed wedge lifts contained therein to be successively, suitably positioned with respect to the swinging pickers to insure their proper ransferal and disposition upon the carriers, as will be hereinafter set forth. For this purpose, the table 182 and its hub extension j 184 are provided with a central opening to receive a rod 204 (Fig. 6) which projects therethrough and is longitudinally movable with respect thereto. The upper end of the rod 204 is provided with a plate or follower member 206 upon which the lifts are adapted to rest. The lower portion of the hub extension 184 is slightly reduced in section (Fig. 12) and constitutes a sleeve upon which is loosely mounted a gear wheel 208, while a member 210 having an upwardly projection angular flange 212 is fixed thereto by means of a pin or key 214. Disposed diametrically opposite each other on the inner periphery of the annular flange 212 are pins 216 and 218 (Fig. 11) which are adapted to cooperatively engage the free end of a pawl 220 that is pivotally mounted upon a pin 222 which is carried by the gear wheel 208. The gear wheel 208 has a laterally extending hub portion 224 having an opening 226 therein for the reception of a `coiled spring 228 that presses upon the pawl 220 and tends to maintain it in working engagement with oneor the other of the pins 216 and 218.

The gear wheel 208 meshes with a toothed segment 230 (Figs. 9 and 11) .that is pivotally mounted upon a pin 232 at the end of an arm 234 which constitutes apart of the supporting plate 90. Integral with the segment 230 and on the opposite side of the pivotal stud 232, is an arm 236 carryinga a roller 2.38 that engages and cooperates with the barrel cam .126 (Fig. 2) ,the latter being secured to the main cam shaft 124, as already explained.

The configuration of the barrel cam 126 is such that the toothed segment 230 is periodically rotated through a limited angle whereby the gear wheel 208 correspondingly actuated.v As the gear wheel 208 is thus rotated in a counter clockwise direction (Fig. 11) the pawl 220, that iscarried thereby, is brought into engagement with one of the pins 216 and 218 and is maintained in engagement therewith by the spring 228. Thus, the rotative movement of the gear wheel 208 is communicated to the annular flanged member 212, the latter being fixed to the hub extension 184 of the rotatable table 182. The parts of the mechanism just described are so constructed and operated that each working movement of the toothed segment 230 effects a unidirectional rotative aotuation of the table 182' through substantially 180 degrees.

1n order to support the stacked lifts and to intermittently raise them in the magazines, the magazines 22, 26, 28, 30 and 32, as well as the rotatable wedge-lift holder 24 are severally provided with follower rods .204 and followers 206 upon which the stacked lifts restrllhe several follower rods 204 are positioned and guided through the agency of a plurality of guide rods 239 (Figs. 1 and 2) that are disposed in a row and parallel t0 the follower rods 204 and are fixed between the supporting plate 90 and an 130 angle member 246 that is bolted to the lower pedestal frames 84. Angular spacing me1n-` ward force upon the followers 206 and fol.

lower rods 204, flexible cords 248, or vthe like, are attached to the sleeve members 244 and pass over a plurality of pulleys 250 and 252 which are suitably carried by brackets 253 that are secured to the support-ing` plate 90. The other end of the cords 248 are attached to weights 254. The act-ionof gravity upon these weights, therefore, tends to raise the followers 206 and the lifts that are stacked thereon whenever the clamps ofthe `holders are temporarily released, after the picker members are moved into position above the several magazines, as ,hereinafter described.

In orderto effect the release of the movable clamp members of the several magazines or lift holders, a rock shaft 256 is pivotally mounted in the frame ofthe rmachine and is disposed parallel to and in back of the row of lift holders (Figs. 1 and 2). This rock shaft 256 is provided with a plurality of lingers 258 (Figs. 2 and 10) that are so :positioned thereon as to be capable of being` brought into engagement with the lower ends of the several release rods 172 associated with movable clamp members 160 of the lift holders 22. 26, 28, 30 and 32. rlhe oppositely disposed corresponding movable clamp members of the rotatable wedge-lift `holder 24 are released by means of arms or fingers 260 and 262 that are also fixed to the rock shaft 256 and directly 4beneath the release rods 17 2 of the wedge-lift holder.

The rock shaft 256 is periodically actuated by means of the cam130 through the agency of an arm 264 (F igs. 1, 2 and 3) that is secured to substantially the middle thereof. This arm 264 has a pivotal connection to one end of a rod 266. the other end of which is pivotally connected to an end of an arm 268` constituting; a part of a bell crank that is pivot-ally mounted upon a rock shaft 270 and having' another arm cooperating` with the cam 130 (Fig. 2). The cam 130 is so constructed as to produce periodic movements of the rock shaft 256 whereby the several triluniiiscvarms 256, 260 and 262 are caused to engage the lower ends of the release rods 172 of the respective lift holders, whereby the clamps are temporarily released when the picker members are in position above the several magazines. rlhe several followers 266, bv the aid ofthe weights 254, are thereraw members which serve as stops, whereby the uppermost lifts are freely disposed between the beveled edges of the clamps and may be subsequently removed by the picker members, as will be fully set forth.

The construction and operation of the several movable carriers upon which the lifts are assembled will now be Set forth. All of the carriers 34,V 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48 are of like construction and each comprises (Fig. 16) a main substantially hori zontal supporting plate 276, the opposite sides of the front end thereof being provided with rollers 27 8 and 280 which are respectively adapted to travel within the tracks 50 and 56. Projecting' downwardly from substantially the middle of the rear end of the supporting plate 27 6 is a lug 282 that is provided with a roller 284 which is adapted to travel within the track 54. The tracks,

50, 56 and 54, therefore, serve to guide and to support each of the movable carriers, as will be explained. The supporting' plate 276 of each carrier is further provided at one side of the rear end thereof with a depending' lug 286 for engagement with a pusher member 288 that is carried b v the conveyor chain 64 in a manner to be hereinafter set forth. Moreover, the forward end of each of the carrier plates 276 is provided with a. downwardly projecting lug 290 for engagement with a. portion of the carrier feed mechanism to be described.

The guiding and supporting tracks 50, 54 and 56 and the track 52 are in the general form of elongated ellipses and comprise semi-circular grooved end members or plates 294 and 296 and suitable grooved intermediate straight sections that are substantially horizontal, the component straight sections of each track being disposed in a vertical plane, one above the other (Figs. 3, 10 and 15). rlhe end members 296 of the several tracks at one end of the machine are supported upon a shaft 298 (Fig. 15) which is carried by bearings 300 forming; parts of the supporting arms 98 which have previously been referred to as secured to one of the intermediate side pedestal members 86. The end members 294 (Fig. 3) of the several tracks at the other end of the machine are of similar form and are carried upon a shaft 302 which is mounted in the upper end of the supporting arms 100 that are secured to the intermediate side pedestal 86 at the other end of the machine.

The tracks 50 and 56 are spaced apart horizontally a distance suliicient to enable 4their .grooves to accommodate the rollers 278 and 280 at the front end of each carrier, while the track 54 is disposed substantially midway between the tracks 50 and 56 and within them. The groove of the track 54 is adapted to receive the roller 284 of each carrierLa-s Ilierainbefcireset forth. The `,track 52 comprises tan integral part of the track 50, the two tracks being joined b y a narrow connecting portion 53, as shown in Figs. 13 and 16. The end members 294 and 296 of the several tracks are semi-circular in form and are provided withgrooves that corre spend to and register with the grooves of the straight portions ot the tracks 50, 52, 54, 56, as will be understood. The straight portions ot all the tracks are entirely removable, being secured to the semi-circular end track portions by means of suitable plates 304 and screws 306.

The several movable carriers 34, 36, 3S, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48 are adapted to be intermittently actuated along,- the upper straight portions of the guiding and supporting tracks that are disposed at a slight downward inclination toward the last assembling station. It is desirable to provide means whereby the inclination ot the upper straight portions ot the tracks may be adjusted to suit varying characteristics of the stock or a change in the style of heel being built. Ubviously the necessary degree of inclination ot the tracks depends upon the height ot the heel to be built. The height ot the heel may be varied by increasing the number ot lifts, or by a change in the thickness of the stock ot which the litt-s are composed. Such means is shown particularly in Fig. 3, to which reference may be had, and which illustrates the arms 100 that support the shaft 302 as secured to the intermediate side pedestal trame 86 by means of bolts 308 that project through slots 309 in the base portions ot the arms and into said pedestals. Between the arms 100, the shaft 302 is provided with a. vertically disposed link 310 which has a pivotal. connection to abifurcated member 312 that is horizontally disposed and pivoted upon a pin through lugs 314 that form integral parts of a plate member 310 which may be suitably bolted to the side pedestal trame 86. The member 312 is provided with an integral downwardly projecting arm 318 having an adjusting bolt 320 associated therewith. The end of the bolt 320 is adapted to hear upon a boss 322 forming :l partot the plate member 316. In order to adjust tas upper straight portions of the tracks to any desired inclination, it is only necessary to loosen the bolts 308 through the slotted arms 100 and to subsequently turn. the ad justing bolt 320 in the-proper direction to either .raise or lower the arms 1.00, after which said arms may be rigidly clamped in their adjusted position.

lt has already been pointed out that this invention is particularly adapted for building wedge heels in which one or more wedge lifts are employed, and, furthermore, that the machine is so constructed and operated as to produce wedge heels in which the breast edges of the' component lifts arein alignment to ensure a substantially plane breast surface, One feature of the machine that contributes to this end is the means by which each carrier is tilted or inclined just prior to reaching its wedge-litt assembling station or receiving position. Referring particularly to Fig. 14, two carriers are illustrated, one in the :[irst assembling station with one even lift disposed thereon, and the other in its wedge-litt assembling station in which a wedge-litt has been superposed upon the even litt. Intermediate these two assembling stations, the middle lower track 54 is provided with a drop or incline 326 which permits the roller 284, and therefore the rear end of the carrier, to be dropped with respect to its original position, thereby effecting a rearward tilting or inclination of the supporting plate ot the carrier. By properly choosing the degree of drop oit the middle track 54, any desired inclination ot the carrier may be attained, and this inclination should be such as to cause the uppe surface of the wedge-lift. after being assembled, to bevsubstantially horizontal, in order to facilitate the turther assembly ot additional lifts, and also to conduce to the build ing of a wedge heel having a substantially plane breast surface.

The machine, as illustrated in the drawings, is adapted to apply a single wedge-litt. but it will be readily understood that any desired number ot wedge-lifts may be employed, which, of course, necessitates a corresponding number ot drops similar to the drop 326 in the middle track 54. straight sections of the tracks are removable, as hereinbetore pointed out, it is only necessary to insert a middle track section having the desired number `ot drops to accommodate any number ot wedge-lifts. bviously, if more than a single wedge lift is employed, a Corresp.ending` number ot rotatable wedge-litt holders or magazines 'will be required.

Referring to Figs. Q and 3, it will be noted that there are two more carriers than there are lift assembling stations which correspond to the mimber olf' picker members embodied in the machine. The carrier 5534 occupies an "initialil or jreliminary77 position. trom which it is actuated into the first litt-receiving or assembling station. The carrier 48 occupie hnished posi-- tion beyond the last litt-assembling station in which the heel is completed and is ready to be discharged into a saitaljilo receptacler 327 (Fig. l). The other carriers 36, S8, 40. 42. 44 and 46 are illustrated in the successive litt-assembling stations, in which the heels are vprogressively built up, one lit't at a time, until the desired number ot lifts have been superposed and the heel completed. All of the carriers, as hereinbetore stated. areactuated intermittently and step-by-step Since the' 1,447,368 .wat

.provided at the upper end of a bell crank or shipper member 348. 'lhis bell crank or shipper member 348 is provided with ahub 350'that is rotatably mounted upon a shaft v or stud 352 `which 'is carried in bearings 354 ythat constitute parts of an arm 356 (Figs. 1

and-3) that is rigidly fastened to an intermediate side pedestal frame 86. The bell crank 348 comprises `an extended arm 358 which has a universal connection 360 to the upper end of a link 362, the lower end of which has a universal connection 364 to the end of an arm 366 that constitutes a part of' a bellcranlr. The bell crank just referred to is pivotally mounted upon the crank shaft 270, and its other arm 368 is provided at its outer end with a roller 370 that cooperates with a suitable cam path in the cam 132 that is fixed tothe cam shaft 124. By means ot .the operative connections just described, it

is evident that Vby suitably designingl and .positioning the cam 132, the rod 330 is reciprocated periodically through a definite length of .travel and in the proper tiniecooperation to other elements ot the machine.

The rod 330 is provided with a. plurality ot .adjustably positioned and spaced fingers` 372 which project upwardly therefrom. Each` of the fingers 372 forms an integral part of a` split hub member 37 4 that is provided with slightly spaced lugs 376 through which a screw 37 8 projects for the purpose of rigidly securing the hub portion lto the rod 330. There.r are as `manyfingers 372 as there are movable carriers, and these fingers are so disposed as to .be brought into cooperati ve engagement with thee middle downwardlypro'jecting lugs 282 ot' all the can riers. In 1,thei parts are illustrated in :the positions which they occupy after having;l

completed a. forward actuation ot' all ot the carriers. Initially the shipper member 348,

the rod 330 and its associated. fingers 37 2 oc@ cupy positions to the left of those illustrated in Fig'. 15.

The toothed segment 336 which has been vdescribed fixed to the rod. 330 is adapted to mesh .with a cooperating toothed segmental sleeve v380Y of .materially greater than Isegment 336, and which is `are associated therewith.

,m oveinent is ti..

Irespective carriers. H

xed to a rod 382 that is disposed parallel to but slightly above and to one side of the rod 330 (Fig. l0) and is mounted in bearings 38.1 (Fig. 2) that are associated with the middle track 54. The toothed segmental sleeve 380 is provided with an integral arm 384 that has a pivotal connection to the upper end of a rod 386 (Fig. 1), the lower end of' which is pivotally secured to an arm 388 of a bell crank, the latter being rotatably mounted upon the crank shaft 270 and having an arm 390 that is provided with` a roller 392 which cooperates with the cam 128 upon the cam shaft 124.

The rod 382 (Fig. 15) extends throughout substantially the length. of the machine and is provided with a plurality ot spaced slidable sleeves 396, each having,` oppositeljyY flisposed slots 398 in one: end and being provided with a laterally extending` finger 400 which is adapted to engage the downwardly projecting lugs 290 ot' the carriers. The sleeves 396 are loosely splined to the rod 382. Y The rod 382 is also provided with collars 402 which are pinned thereto and each of which is provided with longitudinally extending tongues 404 whch are disposedL on opposite sides ot the rod and are adapted to project into the slots 398 of' the next adjacent slotted sleeve member 396. Coil springs 406 surround the rod `between the fixed collars 402 and the slidable sleeves 396 of which the finger 400 is an integral part.

AThe several sleeves 396, therefore, are constantly acted upon by the springs 406 which tend to maintain them in their left-hand positions, as viewed in F ig'. 1 5. By reasonof the splined connections between the sleeves 396 and the rod 382, it is clear that any rotative movement which. is given to the toothed segmental sleeve. 380 by the cam 123 through the intermediate connections hereinbefore described` isf imparted to the rod 382 and, therefore7 `to the fingers 400 that Obviously, rotative movements of the rod 382 are transmitted to the reciprocatorjv rod 330 through the agency of the toothed segmental sleeve 380 an d the cooperatingtoothed segment 336.

initially, the rod 330 and its fingers 372 and the rod. 382 with its fingers 400 occupv their extreme. leit-l'iand positions. as viewed in Fig'. 15, and also the relative angular positious illustrated int Fig. 10. Vlhe cams 1,28 and 132 areanoularly positioned with respect to one another so thatI a. rotative- .t imparted to the resjiiective rods 332 and 330 whereby the several fingers 400 and 372 are rotated'toward each other into `vertical positions. the finn'ers 372 being broun'ht vinto engagement with the lugs ofthe several carriers, and the fingers 400 being' brought into the path ot' travel of the several lugs 290- that are associated with the j n'mg actuated the fingers 372 and 400 into the positions just indicated, the cam 132 causes the shipper lever 348 to actuate the rod 330 to the right, as illustrated in Fig. 15, while maintaining the vertical positions of the respective fingers 37 2 and 400. This longitudinal movement of the rod 330 is permitted inasmuch as the toothed segment 336 is free to move longitudinally while being maintained in cooperative engagement with the toothed segmental sleeve 380, as will be understood.

lt has already been pointed out that one of the essential features of the machine 'is to build wedge heels having substantially plane breast surfaces in order to obviate the necessity of a preliminary breast trimming operation before compressing the heel piles intov The desired alignment of theV heel blanks. breast edges of the component lifts is effected in two ways, which mutually contribute to the desired end. The tilting or inclining of the several carriers, in a position just ahead of their wedge-liftassembling stations, performs one of the necessary functions, while the other is secured by adjusting or setting the several actuating fingers 372 upon the reciprocable rod 330 in order to cause the carriers to be actuated through different predetermined distances, it being understood that the picker arms always 'occupy precisely the same invariable positions in the several assembling stations at the time when the lifts are deposited upon the carriers.

1f a single wedge lift is to be employed, as in the machine illustrated, it is necessary that each carrier should be actuated a slightly greater distance `from its initial or preliminary position to its first assembling station than it is actuated between any subsequent assembling stations, that is to say, the advancement of each carrier to its wedge-lift assembling station and to its subsequent assembling stations should be slightly less than the distance of travel into its first` assembling station. Moreover, if a single wedge-lift is employed, the distance of travel into the wedge-lift assembling station and all subsequent stations should be equal.

The reason for these requisite relative distances of travel of the several carriers may be better understood from an examination of Fig. 8, which illustrates a completed heel in position upon its carrier. 1t will be remembered that in the first assembling station the carrier is maintained in a substantially horizontal position to receive the first even lift. Between the first and second assembling stations, the second being the one in which the wedge-lift is superposed, the drop in the middle lower track effects a tilting or inclination of the carrier sufficient to accommodate the taper of the wedge-lift and maintain its upper surface in a substantially horizontal positiona This tilting of the carrier, of course, tilts the first lift, and therefore its breast surface is slightly inclined to its initial vertical plane shown byv the dotted line. lf the travel of the carrier into its wedge-lift assembling station and subsequent stations were equal to the travel thereof into the rst assembling station, it is evident that the wedge-lift and all subsequent lifts would be offset or overhang with respect to the lowermost lift. Thus, it would be necessary either to trim off the overhanging portions ofthe breasts of all of the subsequent lifts, or to subject this relatively large projecting vor oifset portion to an excessive pressure in the heel compressing operation in order to form a smooth plane breast surface forthe heel. f

However, by adjusting the positions of the several fingers 372 upon the rod 330 the length of travel of the carriers into the wedge-lift assembling station and all subsequent stations is made a sufficiently shorter distance to cause the vwedge-lift and subsequent lifts to have their breast surfaces aligned directly over the uppermost breast edge of the lower tilted lift. In this manner, a substantially plane breast surface for the completed heel is ensured, the 'only deviation therefrom being the slight angular projection of the breast portion of the lowermost lift, as clearly shown in Fig. 8.

lll/'ith a comprehension of the reasons for adjusting the lingers 372 along the rod 330 so as to give a shorter travel of the carriers into the wedge-lift assembling station and all subsequent stations, it will be understood that upon the initial forward actuation to the right of the rod 330, the left-hand finger 372 (Fig. 15) is at once brought into engagement with the lug 282 of the empty carrier in its preliminary or initial position, and therefore the actuation of this carrier is immediately effected. Just subsequent to the initial movement of the first carrier and after a slight distance has been traversed, the other fingers 372 are brought into engagement with the lugs 382 of the remaining carriers, whereby their actuation.

is initiated. lWhen the several cagriers are materially advanced, the lugs 290 associated with the forward ends thereof are brought into engagement with the springpressed fingers 400 which serve to grip the carriers. As the actuation is continued the springs 406 yield accordingly, while maintaining the several carriers gripped in position throughout the remainder of the movement. llilhen the actuation of the carriers is completed, as shown in Fig. 15, the springs 406, still being held under compression, act upon the fingers 400, and therefore the carriers are prevented from overshooting their positions and are definitely and positively brought to rest in their proper stations after having travelled predetermined distances 

